Evo Stik Division One South
Chris Hilton (right) signs his two-year contract with Stocksbridge Park Steels with secretary Mick Grimmer watching over. Picture: Peter Revitt
Chris Hilton has been rewarded with a two-year contract by Stocksbridge Park Steels for his efforts in reviving the fortunes of the club.
The deal was signed and sealed a few days ago and it gives Hilton plenty of time to plan for next season, his third at Bracken Moor.
The former Worsbrough Bridge boss has enjoyed complete backing from the club despite a difficult first campaign last season which saw them dragged into a battle to avoid a second successive relegation at one point.
However, in his second year he has repaid their faith by guiding them to the first round of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history alongside turning them into challengers for the play-offs.
“I’d to thank the club for having the patience to stick with me last season,” Hilton told Non League Yorkshire. “It was always going to be tough because we had to rebuild the team as we inherited only three players from the previous season.
“Other clubs may have taken a different view. I said right at the start and have kept saying that last season was all about laying the foundations and whilst it has taken time, we are starting to see the rewards.
“It is about progression year on year and we are definitely moving in the right direction towards Stocksbridge challenging at the top end of the table again.
“That’s not me saying by signing this contract we’re going to win the league next year. We want to see the club improve each season so that one day Stocksbridge will get back in the Premier Division.
“The idea is that we say ‘we would like to aim to be in the play-offs this season’ whereas next season we will say ‘we want to be in the play-offs’.
“This season though has been a massive success. We finished 17th with 40 points last season with no cup run. We really struggled and out of relegation trouble with a month a go.
“This season we’re out of that. We’ve scored more goals, conceded less and got to the first round of the FA Trophy.
“The icing on the cake would be getting in the play-offs. If we drop just short then we just push again for the play-offs next season.”
Hilton was appointed after the club’s relegation from the Premier Division after impressing during a four-year spell with Worsbrough.
“We have a very good relationship with Chris and we share the same aims,” said chairman Allen Bethel. “We’ve had a good season irrespective of whether we get in the play-offs or not. Everyone can see the improvement in the team has made under Chris.”